Rory Lawson will come in for the injured Mike Blair as Scotland’s captain and scrumhalf for Saturday’s international against South Africa at Murrayfield.

Blair was ruled out of the match on Wednesday after being concussed during the 49-3 defeat by New Zealand last weekend.

Lawson, who was unavailable against the All Blacks with a hand injury, is one of four changes in personnel to the side routed by the All Blacks, with Nikki Walker, Scott MacLeod and Nathan Hines also recalled. Walker replaces Rory Lamont on the wing and will make his first start since the autumn Tests in 2008.

MacLeod comes in for Jim Hamilton at lock and Hines is drafted in at flanker, meaning Kelly Brown switches to No. 8 and Richie Vernon drops to the bench.
Goalkicking utility back Chris Paterson is also named among the replacements after returning to the squad for the first time since hurting his kidney playing against Wales in the Six Nations in February.

Scotland’s autumn campaign got off to the worst possible start with a mauling at the hands of the All Blacks and head coach Andy Robinson is expecting better seven days on.

3 Comments

Pretty much unknown side in many ways..

Ford and Murray were both British Lions in the front row so they can’t be too bad up front I think. Dan Parks is decent enough at 10. We know the Aussie Nathan Hines and apart from that I’m going in blind!